William “Bill” Meinel, 83, of Burlington, passed away Sunday, Oct. 4, at Aurora Hospital in Burlington.
Born in Chicago on April 7, 1943, Bill was the son of William and Elnora (Reuter) Meinel. He resided in Chicago until his family relocated to Como in 1953 when he was in fifth grade.
Bill graduated from Elkhorn High School in 1961 and played football and ran track. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
On Aug. 24, 1963, Bill was united in marriage to Virginia “Toni” Klitzkie. They tied the knot in Elkhorn at the First Congregational Church. Referring, in jest, to their 63 year marriage, Bill was often heard saying, “And, never a cross word.”
For 33 years, Bill was an educator in the Burlington Area School District beginning as the coordinator of a federally funded work/study program. Later in his career, he transitioned into the classroom joining the Social Studies Department where he spent the majority of his time in the District. He was also involved in the Athletic Department coaching 8th grade boys’ basketball and varsity boys’ tennis. As Burlington Educators Association president, he was a key contributor in contract negotiations. Bill really enjoyed working with the kids, as it always kept him young at heart. Through his tenure, Bill made many lifelong friendships impacting him in so many positive ways creating beautiful memories. In the summer months, he spent his time on ladders painting houses across the area. The town became familiar with the Meinel paint wagon rolling around.
During Bill’s retirement, he enjoyed working for an estate on Lake Geneva as a groundskeeper. For 23 years, he held this position as he was always happiest spending time outside and working in gardens. Bill had worked in landscaping on properties in Lake Geneva during high school and college and found out that this became a great training ground for his later years on the Lake Geneva estate.
Along with gardening, Bill’s interests included playing cards, fishing, cooking, creating recipes, Wisconsin sports and anything and everything related to his beloved grandchildren.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Toni; his son, John (Tracee) Meinel of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; daughter Peggy (Scott) Behnke of Burlington; and grandchildren, Eric Behnke of Oak Creek, Halie (Bronson) Burcham of Freeport, Florida, Samuel Meinel of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Lily Meinel and Evan Meinel, both of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He is further survived by his brothers Kenneth (Loretta) Meinel and Richard (Deborah) Meinel, and sister-in-law Lourdes Klitzkie.
Bill was preceded in death by his late parents, William and Elnora Meinel; mother-in-law, Ruth (Harlow) Klitzkie; and brother-in-law Robert Klitzkie.
Bill’s family would like to express their gratitude and thanks to Dr. Todd Nelson, Lina Melcher-NP, Lorelei-NP, and Janice-PT. Also thanks to the outstanding nursing staff at Aurora Hospital, the Aurora Hospice care staff, Golden Years Rehab, and Josie Garwood-Tully/Oasis.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to LOVE, Inc. in Burlington, or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
A Celebration of Life for Bill will be held at the Integrity Celebration Center, 2789 Browns Lake Drive, Burlington, on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, from Noon until 3 p.m. A special blessing for Bill will be held at approximately 2:30 p.m.
Services have been entrusted to Integrity Funeral Services. For online condolences, please visit www.integrityfunerals.net.